Union pushed back by police after attempting to shut down garbage haulers

Thursday

Dec 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMDec 27, 2007 at 5:30 AM

About 8:15 a.m., Chief Bradley gave the order for the SWAT Team to be put into action to push back the picketers. As the SWAT Team pushed the picketers back, a scuffle broke out. Several picketers were arrested.

Staff reports

About 1 a.m. this morning, members of Teamsters Local 25 established a picket line at F.W. Russell Disposal Company located at 120 McGrath Highway and Broadway Brake at Broadway and Lombardi Way.

Russell Disposal is the contractor providing trash removal services for the city of Somerville.

Priotesters bused into the scene padlocked the front gate and parked a trailer in front of it so Russell's employees could not enter and the trucks could not leave.

About 8:15 a.m., acting Chief Robert Bradley gave the order for police to push back the picketers. Somerville Police were backed up by Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (a regional force from other cities) which includes a SWAT Team.

"There is no riot. There never was a riot. We do not have a riot. We have a labor dispute," Somerville Police Capt. Upton said this morning.

Police had asked the Fire Department to cut the locks at 120 McGrath Highway, and it was determined fire workers would not perform that action, as it was a labor dispute and not a medical or fire emergency.

Those arrested are expected to be arraigned today in district court.

Picketers are now off the street, but continue to protest at McGrath Highway.

Representatives from Local 25 and Russell Disposal have not returned calls placed this morning for comment.